Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A message for us all- Day 29

Love it, my friend Arlys sent me this meassage she recieved today from one of her daily Universe subscriptions. I thought it was totally relevant to ALL of us and will share it here, my give for today. And a reminder that the Universe is always willing to give, or if you wish to word it otherwise, God is always willing to give. And for that I am so grateful....

I've got a feeling, that 2010 is going to be your kind of year. That you'll be happier than you've ever been, laughing harder, smiling wider, standing taller, walking lighter, dancing crazier, hugging longer, living grander, loving louder, and if you want, selling the pictures to a tabloid to raise money for your new charity.

Can you feel it, too?
The Universe

Friday, December 25, 2009

A Beautiful disaster- Day 24

I love giving! Though I have a few different gifts I am giving this year, one in particular gave me some trouble. I found some beautiful individual ceramic mini-loaves and decided to make gingerbread and give them out. Unfortunately on my first time out I filled the loaf pans a bit too full and ended up with a disaster in the oven.


No worries, we don't always get it right on the first try. And I did get it right the second time through. Merry Christmas and love and blessings to you in 2010!




!





Thursday, December 10, 2009

Reciprocity/ you give and you receive- Day 9

Believe in your dream!

I know I touched on this already but I must reiterate, only because I want to be clear, and I want you to be clear, that what you give out comes back. Not only does it come back, it doubles, triples, quadruples, what have you. When you live your life from your soul's dream you can't help but have beauty, it manifests itself, without any effort at all.

As an example, think of all the times you have tried to "force" something to happen. You wanted it, you pushed for it, but you didn't believe it could miraculously happen and so you went about MAKING it happen no matter what. And what? What did you get? Were you really happy with a forced result? The things we most admire in our life, the times we look back on, are the ones that we enjoyed in the moment, the seconds we spent in the "zone", living, loving, being. It didn't require effort, it didn't require exertion, we just WERE.

I imagine this is how my cousin, Catherine feels when she is knitting hats for the homeless, I am sure in fact that the hours spent knitting pass by her, and the hats seem to knit themselves. I am so inspired by this and I KNOW knitting is not my forte, but I am inspired to do what I love and allow it be effortless. In what ways can I give effortlessly, and have it be a work of art for others?

In answer to that not so rhetorical question I say, my window boxes are not an offering to the homeless, however, it feels so good to dress my house for the season and share with others, driving by, how in love I am with this time of year. I proudly share my weekend work in the above pic, I was so excited to have it done before my sister came into town for my brother's wedding.

This weekend is a big one for sharing for me...Matt and I are sharing our house with my sis and her family, we will be sharing with everyone we love in my brother's wedding festivities, I have bags of clothing I went through to share with charity, and I continue to look forward to sharing time with my students.

Be sure to stay tuned for more of this. After all, sharing is a form of giving, and also a form of receiving, there is no better way to celebrate the gift of this season than an abundance of this.





Monday, December 7, 2009

Giving without expectations- Day 6

My experience is going so well and I am especially engaged in ways I can give up for the enviorment. I have not used any throw away cups in 6 days and I am forgoing the cardboard cup cozy as well (even though secretly I love having it on the glass cups, it is so comforting). I had a challenging Saturday as I "gave up" my day off to get a number of things done that were on my list. This sort of giving up didn't feel so good and I did my best to remain connected to what I needed to get done without feeling bad. Ashley (my sis) and I went to Michael's to get a few things for my window boxes and the holiday lines have certainly begun (if you recall I did say I would give up complaining about being in these lines). Ashley waited in line and I popped my head into the $1 store next door and grabbed a few things and popped back over. Yes, she was STILL in line. I smiled. Here's my opportunity to be pleasant and accept that where I am is where I am. Even though it is in a holiday line I can still make the most of it, right? The woman behind us was CLEARLY upset about being here. She was huffing, and puffing, and if I had been one of the three little pigs she surely would have blown my house down. Again I smiled. And then....I offered her to move in front of us. I said, "you seem to be in a hurry, go ahead". She was definitely caught off guard and perhaps a bit embarrassed that she had been making such an obvious fuss? because for whatever reason she went ahead and did not offer any gratitude, as a matter of fact she acted even more put out. As we witnessed this Ashley commented on her lack of appreciation. I agreed, but also said, "you know, it's not why I did it, I didn't need to get anything back, and it is sad that she is so unhappy, hopefully we offered a spark of hope that all is not lost and she can let go and enjoy where she is". I certainly enjoyed the extra time with my sister and another opportunity to give AND be reminded that when I give from the heart, I receive, whether it is recognized or not. Tomorrow I will give my heart, full of love!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Past 30- day 36

Ok, so I have been negligent in my posting duties and I am on day 36 of new meals and abundance. And I have made a myriad of different menu items, though my list never dwindles as I seem to continue to add new dishes I want to try to my 'to-make' list. Ah, well such is the life of abundance right? I will never run out of new creations to try out and that is quite alright.

With Thanksgiving over I find myself still feeling grateful for so much. I enjoyed my time with family in KC, Kansas. The weather was beautiful, the food impeccable (and plenty), the nephews a crazy blend of fun and outrageousness, and the adult interaction meaningful and engaging.

I am again in awe of Sarah, my sis-in- law, and how she handles three boys so amazingly and effortlessly. Though she might not agree with me that is definitely my impression after 3 days with those rambunctious rascals.

Jody and Bruce were the perfect hosts, stuffing us with yummy food and not one of us had to raise a finger to do dishes, clean up, or cook. KC is beautiful and the weather was warm and sunny and you really can't ask for more than that.

In the spirit of the season I have contemplated how I can take on a 30 day experience that really em body's the season's meaning. With this in mind, I feel like this month needs to be a month of giving.

So, for my next 30 I will practice the art of giving and each day ask myself "how can I give today"? In conjunction with this I will be "giving up" many of the things in my home that feel stifling or cumbersome. Also, I am going to look for things I can give up in my life in exchange for things I can give out to people in need or to my earth.

A few things I am sure I can give up this month:

Buying into the consumerism of the holiday and purchasing more needless items that will end up in a land fill.

Giving up any plastic, or cardboard cups when I buy coffee or tea

Giving up some money that would be spent on those needless items and giving it to a charity.

Giving up complaining about waiting in the long lines that seem to accumualte this time of year

Giving up whining about traffic

I am sure these are only a few of what come to mind at the moment, stay tuned for more ways I give or things I give up over the next 30 days.

I anticipate a giving month filled with love!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Day 21- Celebrating LOVE

I went to my girlfriend Jenny's wedding in Az. over the weekend. Not only was there an abundance of relaxation for me (I proudly left my computer and my work in Minnesota) there was SO much love. It was amazing to spend time with the wedding girls the night before Jenny tied the knot and listen to all the stories we had to share about how much we appreciate and love Jenny, everything she has meant in our lives, and how thrilled we are that she found love with such a special guy. I really wouldn't have missed this for the world and even though shortly before I left I had doubts that there was enough (*see lack) money to fund my little getaway, I am so glad I stepped into trust and faith that it would work out, that there was abundance waiting for me, and that this trip was exactly what I needed. It was! I am so grateful I was there for Jenny's big day. It brought me back to a 1- 1/2 years ago when Matt and I took the same vow of love and catapulted me into a deep state of gratitude for all I have and the love that I share with my hubby! Teary- eyed I watched Jenny and Colin share their commitment with all of us and bleary-eyed I got on the plane the following morning at 5am to head home to Minnesota and into the arms of my true love. What a great weekend trip!


Matt and I share a kiss on our day


Jenny and I at her wedding



The girls of the wedding.


Jenny and Colin on their big day.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Day 15- Abundance! Really so much Abundance!

I bought a car! A beautiful 2009 Toyota Corolla, shiny white. I am actually SO AMAZED at the difference this has made in my life, allowing this kind of wanting. It feels SO GOOD to drive a beautiful car and I have never allowed myself one this nice, or nice at all for that matter. I have always driven the junkers because I just didn't care about vehicles. Well, caring about EVERY area of your life makes a difference! YES it does! Because I feel great in this car, in fact I feel stupendous every time I step into it. I promise I will take a pic and send it but really I am just so busy loving driving it right now that I keep forgetting to get a pic!

And thanks to my fabulous hubby for supporting me in all this abundance! I love you Matt!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Day 5/6- Yummy chicken and Kate + 8

My husband is not a chicken lover, or a sweet lover so it is quite amazing that he loved this recipe I made. Panko-crusted chicken with mustard-maple pan sauce. The chicken was so MOIST (do you love this word as much as I do?) and I put his sauce on the side because I wasn't sure what he would think of the maple in it. Turns out he ate it up and enjoyed it enough that it makes the share grade. I also made these totally delish mashers and we have enough leftovers for tonight's new dish; Turkey meatloaf with mushrooms and herbs. I await with bated breath as it is in the oven now and this healthy meatloaf will definitely come under careful scrutiny since Matt's beloved meatloaf is almost always made with beef and gravy and this recipe has neither.

Panko-Crusted Chicken with Mustard Maple Pan Sauce

2-8 oz skinless chicken breast halves cut crosswise in half
2tsp. + 2 tbs. Dijon mustard
1 large egg
1 tbs finely chopped Italian parsley
1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs
2 tbs. olive oil
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
2 tbs. pure maple syrup
2 tbs. + 1 tsp. course-grained mustard
1 tbs. chilled unsalted butter

  • Using meat mallet or rolling pin, pound chicken to 1/3-1/2 inch thickness
  • Whisk egg, parsley, and 2 tsp. of Dijon mustard in large bowl
  • Place chicken in egg mixture and turn to coat
  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper
  • Dip each chicken piece into panko, turn to coat
  • Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken; cook until brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Meanwhile whisk broth, syrup, course-grained mustard, and remaining 2 tbs Dijon mustard in a measuring cup.
  • Transfer chicken to plates and add broth mixture to skillet; boil until reduced 10 3/4 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add butter; whisk until melted and spoon sauce on chicken.

Creme Fraiche and Chive Mashed Potatoes

3 quarts of water
2 tbs. coarse kosher salt plus additional for seasoning
2 lbs. of Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch wedges
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup creme fraiche
2 tbs. unsalted butter
3 tbs. chopped fresh chives

  • Bring the water to a boil and add salt and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender about 18 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes. Cover the bowl to keep them warm.
  • Heat milk, creme fraiche, and butter in saucepan over medium heat, just until bubbles begin to form at the edge, stirring until butter melts.
  • gradually mix bot milk mixture into potatoes and fold in the chives.
  • Season with course salt and pepper.




Matt and I took on Hollywood and the gross popularity of reality TV last night when we mockingly went as 'Kate +8' ( I was Kate with 8 baby dolls tied to my hip and Matt was my camera crew). Some of you may know this show and the ridiculousness of it, Kate is divorcing Jon and TLC has come forward and said that the show will now be called 'Kate +8' instead of the previous title, 'Jon and Kate + 8'; this of course will only happen if people continue to tune in to this train wreck of a family who's parents have put their children on display in order to find financial abundance. A beautiful reminder that when wealth is desired at the expense of other people's lives (their own children's) there is a karmic return and in this case it is playing out on national TV. Matt predicts bankruptcy for both of them within a year of the show ending. While it might not be in total taste to make fun, we did get a number of laughs!


Kate is having an "affair" with her camera man




'Kate + 8'

Friday, October 30, 2009

Day 4- French toast with Pears and Pomegranate sauce



Kelley and I had a beautiful breakfast with the kids. Sid is so much fun! We LOVED our french toast and Sid was sliding his pieces of french toast all over the sauce, he couldn't get enough. This one made the grade for sure.

French toast with pears and pomegranate sauce

1 cup whole milk
5 large eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla
4- 3/4 inch slices of egg bread ( I used texas toast)
2 ripe ajou or bartlet pears, firm yet ripe, cored and cut into slices
2 tbs butter
1 cup of pomegranate juice
3/4 cup golden brown sugar

  • whisk together milk, eggs, 3/4 tsp of cinnamon and vanilla in a baking dish. Add the slices on bread and let them soak up the egg mixture, about 3 minutes on each side.
  • In a skillet melt 1 tbs of butter and add the pears, cook on med-high until the pears become soft.
  • In a pan melt 1 tbs of butter and add the pom juice, remaining cinnamon, and brown sugar, simmer over med-high heat until the sauce thickens a bit and becomes like syrup, about 8 minutes.
  • In a skillet cook the soaked bread slices about 4 minutes per side until cooked.
  • Top french toast with pears and sauce, and enjoy. YUM!




Thursday, October 29, 2009

Day 3- So much to love

There is so much to love in my life that the abundance experience has been an effortless undertaking. The sati series I just finished up was all about abundance. One of the declarations is "abundance is my inheritance". If you really believe this, and claim your inheritance it is waiting for you.

What you seek you find.

The question is what are you seeking? If you are looking for abundance in every area of your life it has a beautiful way of showing up no matter what the external circumstances are. It is the state of mind that you take on that allows you to find it. Commitment to living in abundance, without an attachment to the outcome, is what brings it into your life. Another declaration in this series is " I appreciate, and then I wait." Are you willing to hold fast to your state of mind, and practice patience. No matter what seems to be happening in your world, will you stand strong and trust that all will be well, that abundance is coming, no matter what! I love the no matter what promise, it stands for determination and perseverance. If you don't give up on yourself, your dream, it is sure to come about.

Abundance has come to me in so many ways in the last 3 days. My car is on its last wheel and though I've wanted a new one for some time, my hubby has pushed for us to carry on with the junker. It is acting up again and when I called him yesterday to tell him he said "what do you want to do?" I said "Get a new car!" His response? "I think we should get you a new car, you really deserve it." You know what, I agree. And it feels so good that he offered this up and now we are looking for one. Abundance!

My first Sigh yoga IntenSati class is on Monday. It is full, and there is a WAITING list! Abundance!

I haven't written because I have had an Abundance of client appts. Wow, it is showing up everywhere and I am so grateful for all of it.

Monday night was my first new meal and I made Lime and Honey glazed Salmon with Basmati rice and Broccoli. It was a great dish, a bit sweet and my husband doesn't love sweet for dinner so this recipe didn't make the grade. I already decided I would only share the awesome ones and since this was ok but not terrific I will pass on writing it up here.

I am off to my sister's for breakfast tomorrow and we will be making French toast with Pears and Pomegranate sauce. We'll see how it does and if it passes the share test (it must be a minimum of an 8 on a scale of 1-10). So excited to be trying these new things.

Have a day filled with abundance, L-

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 30

My #1 desire for today:

I finish up my month of pre-paving in style and get ready to roll into a month of abundance!

Recap:

Style baby, Style. I got in the last of these beautiful 30 days and I am so excited to start up a new experience. Trust me, I will be pre-paving away in the mean time and the coming month will be abundant!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 29

My #1 desire for today:

I sleep in and rest myself this morning and I don't get out of bed until I am good and ready! I have fun things planned for my day off and I take my time getting prepped for the day. It feels luxurious and indulgent to give myself this nothing but me time.

Recap:

Oooh, the luxury. I didn't get out of bed until 11am. Seriously! I LOVED it, and I took a nice long bath and enjoyed the morning snuggling with Matt and not feeling rushed to get anywhere at all.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 28 is the new '30'

We are nearing the end of a very successful 30 day experience. In the last 28 days of designing my life I increased my income by $1200 this month, I enrolled a full fall program, I rocked out a packed Intensati class at Lululemon, and booked IntenSati at Sigh yoga studio, I lost 5 of those pesky pounds I wanted off me, and I loved every minute of it!

Pre-paving has made an incredible impact in how I go about my day and allowed mindfulness to enter my life on a daily basis. I always believed that I lived with intention, and I do, but when you get disciplined in setting aside time each morning to "intend" your day there is a deeper connection with your spirit and how you are BEING in the world is elevated to soaring heights. As far as my biggest dream is concerned (which is Sati available all over the Midwest) I have accomplished more in the last 30 days with this practice than I have in the 10 months preceding. This is the possibility that comes from pre-paving your daily design.

That written, I will continue to pre-pave, I still have 6 weeks left in my manifesting course and I am so excited, but you have seen enough to understand the beauty of it and you might even be thinking "Whew, I can't keep up, Lisa is blogging EVERY DAY!"

No worries, I am moving on, and posts will be perfectly timed.

One point, I have changed my list. I would rather revel in what I have accomplished than feel badly that I haven't gotten through half my list when I am 9 months in (remember that ashram part, my 30 days of meditation turned into 3 months). Also, I have actually integrated what I wrote in January " We need to change valuing things for valuing experiences. " I think for me even the effort of taking on a 30 day challenge can be valuing something over valuing the experience. With yoga I wanted flexibility, with my spending freeze I wanted more money, with no TV I wanted more productivity...however with my pre-pave I wanted to experience loving my life AS I was living it.

I desire more of this so from here on out I will incorporate this into my experi(ences). This is all just a grand build up of suspense to what the next 30 is, of course, and there is more (build up). One of the things I love about changing this is that I am able to see how much I've grown this year. If things didn't shift here, how would they shift elsewhere in my life.

I am so grateful to be able to see the lessons I've learned so clearly, how much I truly value living my life over trying to get something or somewhere in my life. The 30 day experiment has morphed into an experience not an accomplishment, and some of the questions I started with at the beginning of the year have been answered, but not all. I still don't know how it will impact my life to virtually erase my carbon footprint, de-clutter my life daily, have sex every day, make a new meal, or ride my bike everywhere for 30 days.

However, now I want to have the experience of it instead of the accomplishment of it. It is more like making a 'To think' list than a 'T0 do (or not do)' list. "What is my state of mind, my perspective?" Rather than, "Am I checking off my box that I did or didn't do this, did I accomplish it?"

Point 2, my new title, this is not by best shot anymore, this is it, I am doing it and I am taking it on in 30-24 hour increments at a time. I am experiencing as opposed to experimenting. Hence the new name! (well the url stays the same for simplicity purposes but the title of the blog changed)

In honor of these insights, and Thanksgiving, my next 30 day experience is all about abundance.

For 30 days I am living abundance and I will find it wherever I look. One of the ways I will find it in the 30 days is creating an abundance of new meals that I have wanted to try and haven't yet. So this is my "old" 30 days of new meals, and it looks a bit different. I might not create a new meal each day but during this experience I will try an abundance of new things I haven't and go through my some odd 45 recipes that I have been collecting and wanted to try but didn't have enough time (see lack). There is no lack this month. I have abundance and it will come to me in more ways than new meals. But I promise to share the ones I try, and the experience of it. There are some doozies that will blow Matt out of the water, like Gnocchi with Oxtail rag u, and some that he will be more than hesitant to try, Butternut squash soup, but I am expecting an abundance of compliments no matter what I make.

This was my #1 desire for today, to share this with you and offer up my gratitude for reading my words and letting me share my life with you, thank you.

And so my recap reads: Success!

Love and abundance to you,
L-

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Pre-pave- day 27

My #1 desire for today:

SPREAD JOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y90-R9uyjIQ

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 26

My # 1 desire for today:

Today I gratefully receive all the gifts life has to offer me!

Recap:

YES! Intensati will be coming to Sigh yoga, and it will most likely be even MORE than one class/week. I received a beautiful e-mail from the owner today. She is SO excited, and so am I, this class has been such a gift in my life and now it will be available for all to enjoy. We are going to rock out some packed classes!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 25

My #1 desire for today:

Today is a beautiful day! I am feeling peppy and ready to go. My meeting with Brandyn (at Sigh yoga) goes so well and starting November we will be doing two sati classes a week at her studio.

Recap:

Yes! We are going to start with one class/week in November. This is so exciting, and means more access to Sati, which I realize I spend a lot of time blogging about but really, I am on a quest here, Sati (mindfulness) for everyone! More about class times and such later. Have a great night, today was a beautiful day!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 24

My #1 desire for today:

I am feeling happy and exhausted after yesterdays class so I care for myself with rest, good food, and thoughtful prayer and introspection.

Recap:

I did. And I am feeling a bit deflated after all the build up to yesterday's class but I am so happy with how well it went and I am looking forward to setting my next move towards bringing Sati to everyone in the midwest. Here's a couple pics from class....



Sunday, October 18, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 23

My # 1 desire for today:

IntenSati at Lululemon is pure magic!

Recap:

YES, YES! Pics will follow soon.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 22

My #1 desire for today:

It's a beautiful Saturday! I get outside enjoy the weather and friends, play in manifesting a beautifully packed class tomorrow, and accomplish the few things I have arranged for my day off. Matt said it this morning before getting out of bed
(I whole-heartedly agree), "I LOVE Saturdays".

Recap:

I love Saturdays! I had my nordic dryland training today. Yes indeed, I have taken up a new sport in anticipation of LOVING winter and DESIRING outsidedness when it is 30 below. So I will be a skate skiing star this winter. Today was fun, we practiced technique using poles and I felt silly but had a blast with the group that was there. I bought an amp for tomorrow's class, napped, watched a movie, brought TIVO to Best Buy (THE DAY THE TIVO DIED, I am singing it in my head right now), brought it back home since they weren't authorized to fix it (so sad, we'll have to mail it in), and finished the things that were ACTUALLY on my list of to-do's. I LOVE Saturdays, but I am saddened by planned obsolescence. My TIVO is only 8 years old!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 21

My #1 desire for today:

Today I am sweetly surprised by life. Mini-manifests abound as well as some big manifests but I don't even know what they are until they come, and I am so sweetly surprised by them. I AM my I AM and I AM in love with my life, today is the best day ever!

Recap:

It really was the BEST day. Here are some of my beautiful surprises in no particular order...

1. My session with Jill was beautiful (my massage/Reiki therapist), and it was so wonderful to hear her say that I had so much joy around me that it was a pleasure working on me.

2. My CD with rockin' music for Sunday's class came in the mail.

3. I ran into my wonderful friend, Mary, at a concert this evening. I haven't seen her in 4 years and it was so lovely catching up. How amazing!

4. When I saw my niece, Pru, this evening I couldn't believe how much she had grown up in only a week. She sat on my lap, clapped with me, her face filled with smiles.

5. An e-mail from Patricia encouraging me on in a having a splendid class on Sunday.

6. A sudden surge of courage and I called Lifetime and L.A. fitness headquarters and left msgs for their fitness directors to set up a meeting about bringing IntenSati to their club.

7. A pair of jeans that had been a bit tight a few weeks ago slide right on.

8. A husband ready to crawl into bed with me when I arrived home and snuggle up.

The best day ever!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 20

My #1 desire for today:

I am living in the assumed feeling of being the teacher that rocks it to a full class at Lululemon and I am loving the frequency with which I am assuming this feeling. Now it is effortless, graceful, and fluid and it comes to me so easily, this feeling of being the sati light in the darkness of drudging, boring fitness in Minnesota. People can't wait for me! They are so ready, and so am I!

Recap:

Love living in a state of abundance and I have all I desire. The crazy thing is that even more is coming to me and I can FEEL it percolating. I love that I can give a good back lashing to the part of me that wants to say it isn't possible for me to succeed in such a grand way. At this point in my life there is so much evidence supporting the fact that I am a successful and gifted woman with a world of things to share that she really doesn't come through loud and clear anymore, and I can easily tame her into quieting down. At the very least I could have a good laugh at her feeble attempts to get my attention but I am too busy feeling good and living in my deepest and most brilliant desires!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 19

My #1 desire for today:

I am inspired and excited to teach a great sati class with 7 people there. It flows, I am in the groove, and I use my new mic which works splendidly. Can't wait for all the fun at Lululemon on Sunday! Excited about my life, I live my day in my I AM and love the feeling of being at a 10!

Recap:

Groove with me people! I am fluidity, I am grace. I love teaching this class and you must come on Sunday if you can make it! Life is exciting, 10 is an awesome number, and though I had 4 in class we rocked it 10 style all the way!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 18

My #1 desire for today:

My microphone for IntenSati class comes in the mail. I have been waiting for this and can't wait to use it and rock out class on Sunday!

Recap:

I was enjoying day 3 of a sleep in session when I awoke to a hard rap at my door. It was my Mic! Never mind that I flew out of bed and ran out in a towel worried that I would miss the delivery, they had left it near the door. YAH! I hope you can make the awesome class on Sunday!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 17

My #1 desire for today:

I genuinely enjoy the change of season and look forward to the coming months. I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world with unpredictable weather patterns, the 4 seasons are expressed in such a unique way, and I am grateful for my 5 senses so that I am able to see, taste, touch, smell, and hear all of it.


Recap:
Yes, though I promise I did not pre-pave this weather. But, I enjoyed it. It was so beautiful, quiet, and peaceful.



Sunday, October 11, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 16

My #1 desire for today:

This morning is DJ yoga at Lululemon and I get there early so I can get a great spot. I talk to Sarah a bit about next weeks class and she is very excited. After class I chat with the DJ and he would love to come back next week for class. There are so many people there and I have fun during class visualizing all these people in my class next week. After yoga Sarah also has me step up and announce class next week, a little bit of what it is, and personally invite everyone to come back. AWESOME! Next Sunday is going to rock!! I head to Balance for some great apts. Flying high thinking about next week!

Recap:

Yes, Yes! I didn't get a chance to talk to the DJ (he had stepped out for lunch) I did get his contact info though. Class next week is going to be a blast. I hope you can make it!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 15

My #1 desire for today:

I head to my sis's and we take off for farmer's market. I load up on gourds and baby pumpkins and grasses and such for my fall scene window boxes. Everything costs less than $50, which is perfect because I have just that much cash left. At home I put away my goodies and do my window boxes. Since it snowed last night all the annuals are shriveled and dead so I don't feel at all bad about pulling them out to do my fall scenes.

Recap:

A picture is worth 1000 words. And all of this cost $65.00 (turns out I had more than $50 in cash on me so no trip to the ATM. YAH!



Friday, October 9, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 14

My #1 desire for today:
I drop off my car for a tune-up. They tell me it will only be 90 minutes and it will be done so dad picks me up and we have breakfast. When we finish, my car is ready and it costs $123.75.

Recap:

Beautiful! Dropped off at 8am. Breakfast with dad, Kel, and Pru at 8:45. Picked up car at 10am. Cost for car? $133.45 Cost of manifesting this beautiful desire? Priceless.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 13

My #1 desire for the day:

To live in my 'I AM' ( my 'I AM' is a powerful, declarative statement about who I AM and how I AM in this world). Here is my I AM....

I AM LOVE.
I live in the highest vibration and it emanates from me.
My path is one of integrity and healing.
I AM a healer.
I AM a leader.
I guide people on this path and they embody their wholeness.
I AM a cheerleader for others and myself.
I applaud us on to living our dreams NO MATTER WHAT!
I AM a visionary.
I believe in the limitless life.
I AM empathy.
I AM knowing.
I deeply feel what people feel and know what they need.
I AM a teacher.
I teach the greatest lesson of all,
Love yourself and extend that love into the lives of others.
I teach it as I live it.
I AM generosity.
I AM kindness.
I bubble over with happiness and joy, and it is infectious.
I AM loved.
I AM appreciated.
I AM abundant.
My material wealth is a mirror to the wealth of virtues that I AM.
I AM considerate.
I AM compassionate.
I AM gifted.
My nature is light hearted, and I spread happiness and laughter.
I AM funny.
I AM silly.
I AM uninhibited.
I AM fearless and always willing to be who I AM.
I AM a safe haven.
I AM a confidant.
I AM firm in what I believe, and I tell the truth.
I AM a student.
I AM gracious and I share what I learn with the world.
I AM charismatic.
I AM an inspiration.
I AM a catalyst for change.
I AM the change I wish to see.
I AM a believer.
I AM that this change is possible.
I AM a Daughter of God, honoring the divine feminine within.
I AM a powerful force to be reckoned with,
I AM LOVE.

Recap:

Ok so this morning at the 6am people kept asking me to repeat their weight exercises. Like they were the walking dead and couldn't remember any sequence I gave them. I started to think this way and got really irritated with repeating myself and then GUESS WHAT?!?!? I remembered this part of my I AM..."My nature is light-hearted, and I spread happiness and laughter". I realized that being grumpy with people was not my I AM. So I said to the next person that asked again what to do, " Ok you want me to repeat it, I will sing it. You have a choice, remember what I tell you first or I will sing it to you the second time and realize my dream of being a singer even though I have NO ability!" I said it light and free and everyone laughed. The next time someone asked, I SANG it, "Che-e-eee-st Pres---sss--- on----th--e-ee-e-- balll-----" and I thought to myself, "I AM fearless and always willing to be who I AM, and I AM silly". They loved it and the rest of class they were all about trying to remember their exercises to "avoid hearing me sing" It turned into this great joke and I was living in my I AM "I spread happiness and laughter. I AM funny. I bubble over with happiness and joy, and it is infectious". And I am actually crying right now as I write this because I AM so moved by how deeply I lived in my I AM when I could have easily been pissed and grumpy at 6 in the morning and started all of my students off on a sour note. I didn't because " I AM a cheerleader for others and myself". GO US, GO T-H-U-R-S-D-A-Y! (just be happy you don't have to hear me sing it ) :)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 12

My #1 desire for today:

I have the most amazing morning! I curl myself in bed for a beautiful snuggly sleep-in session and my cats scooch in with me for pets. Matt kisses me goodbye and I do a booty shake under the covers. I actually get to be in bed while Matt goes off to work, how fun! When I finally step out of bed, the sun is shining and the rain has stopped. I take a hot shower and head off to a delicious breakfast with my sis Kel. Josh is off work this week so we get to meet at our favorite spot instead of her house.

Recap:
Oh YES! I LOVE sleeping in until 8am. So funny that it feels luxurious and it isn't really that late. Matt was so jealous and he kissed me saying he wished he could snuggle up with me and the cats. The sun is out and I enjoy my morning. LOVE hot showers! Kel and I had a great breakfast. It was so fun to get to go back to our spot and have leisure adult conversation without the kids. Kelley is fab and I LOVE hanging with her.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 11

My #1 desire for today:

I have 8 people IntenSati class today and we rock the house. Everyone is engaged and using the affirmations and it is the most fun ever!

recap:
9 people in class today YAH! And we rocked the house, they were so expressive and loved it. My 8 and 9 walked in late and they all know about the pre-paving I am doing from my class intros so when Wendy walked in I said "You made my class pre-pave for the day!" Everyone cheered. Then Lynn walked in a few minutes after and I said, "You are my 9, you exceeded my dreams for today" and everyone let out a whoop! I LOVE that people are getting so comfortable and having so much fun, it is what this class is all about!
(Am I in bold? Yes! It was that great!)

Monday, October 5, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 10

My #1 desire for today:

I take my car to JPT's so they can run some tests and they tell me the problem will be a cheap fix and to bring my car back on Friday.

(car has been acting up again but I am confident that it will be easy to fix and easy on my wallet)

Recap:

Pat at JPT's said it looked like a tune-up issue. This is good, tune-ups typically aren't outrageous. More later on this as I am dropping it off on Friday morning. I think I'll pre-pave that my dad picks me up and takes me out for breakfast and by the time we're done they will call and say my car is ready. :)
I am really having some fun with this!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 9

#1 desire for the today:

I fully enjoy my Sunday. It is a beautiful day!

Recap:
Absolutely! It was beautiful and I enjoyed myself immensely.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 8

My #1 desire:

Matt and I take Cleo to the vet this morning and discover that his random peeing on rugs is a bladder infection. They are a able to get a urine sample and don't need to sedate him because he is behaving so well.

Recap:

Occasionally, manifesting something that involves another person (or animal) means that they have to be in on it with you. They have to want the same thing. Cleo did not want the same thing as I did. He was happy to take a ride in the truck until he discovered we were going to Dr. Duff's. Then he was not so happy. Well he was with the sniffing and checking things out but not so much with the getting checked out. Dr. Duff informed us that Cleo would not be "allowing" a urine sample unless he was sedated. So we made an apt. to bring him back on Monday. We will know more then. On the up side, we also made an apt. for our girl cats, Nikita and Josephine, and that is good because they haven't seen a vet in 5 years. So they will all go to the doc on Monday, they will all be healthy, and Cleo will be given antibiotics for his infection rather than Paxil for his anxiety and behavioral/anxiety issues (yes, Dr. Duff told us that he frequently perscribes anti-depressants to the animals he sees).

It was wonderful day, I trust you enjoyed yours!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 7

My #1 desire for the day:

I get to enjoy my afternoon off.

Recap:
I had a beautiful lunch at Lucia's pasta bar with my sisters Kelley and Ashley. I fell in love with both of them for different reasons. Ashley was carrying on about wanting a hamburger and not liking the menu selection and then ordered something that was completely NOT on the menu. I loved her in that moment for her courage to just ask for what she wanted even though it wasn't offered. And she got it!

The table near us was served a dessert with a candle and Kelley looked over and began singing happy birthday to the lady at her left. Her friends seemed nervous at first (as though it wouldn't be proper to sing) then finally joined in and finished off the song. Kelley gently reached over and touched the woman's shoulder "Happy birthday, and may you have many more". I loved her in that moment for her beautiful soul that floats about willing to share her joy with anyone, especially strangers. By the end of their lunch the ladies were cooing at Pru and making conversation with us.

After my lovely lunch I enjoyed a facial (heavenly), eyebrow wax (fab), and I went home and cleaned the house as a surprise to my husband (thrilled).

So in short hand...YES I enjoyed my afternoon off! (cheering)

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 6

My #1 desire for the day:

Today I tape my final IntenSati series video for Patricia. I have so much fun making it and I am right on with the music and look fabulous doing it! I have created a great series that is fun and inspiring.

Recap:
WoW! It has been a day. I need to give a larger recap so you can understand that NO MATTER WHAT! I was going to get this done today. I planned on getting to CBC (Calhoun Beach club) before class to tape it. The studio was occupied so it would have to wait until after class. After class I began and in the middle of taping my NEW camera's battery died. I went home, charged it, returned to CBC and began filming again. After 5 seconds the camera stopped and informed me internal memory was full (OH yeah, there is the part where I took out my memory card while it was charging to check the battery). I leave CBC again! Slightly exasperated but definitely determined, and go to Walgreens. I buy a memory card and go BACK to CBC to film myself. Fun might not be the appropriate word, more like challenging. But I did it and though I am deeply aware that I need to get my hair colored (I have it scheduled for tomorrow) I think I do look pretty good. I am on with the music (I think) and it feels like an inspiring series to me. Here it is:

Upper body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax-hoedQkT4
Lower body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ghqHhXT_M






Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 5

My #1 desire for today:

There are 8 people in IntenSati class tonight and it is totally inspired and wonderful. I ride home in a joyful state and spend some time with my hubby before bed. I get to sleep by 10:30 and feel awesome about the day I've had.

Recap:

3 people came to class and it was inspiring and wonderful. The numbers are coming, I promise. I am getting so good at teaching this class now that I am doing it 3x week, and I feel great about that on my ride home. Matt is in bed (rough day giving blood, they hit a tendon OUCH!) I am joining him now and it is only 10pm. What an awesome day!
*side note: I loved breakfast at Kelley's and dancing with Sid and Sophia, it made my day. And my sis is just tremendous, nothing else to say there.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 4

My #1 desire:

(Sarah at Lululemon Athletica scheduled an IntenSati class for their one year anniversary. Yesterday I got an e-mail saying they were getting a DJ and wanted to make use of him by doing a DJ yoga class instead. I want to teach this class more than anything so I sent her an e-mail saying I thought it would be great to do IntenSati with a DJ. My #1 desire for today is based off of this )

I come home to find an e-mail from Sarah telling me she totally wants to stick with the IntenSati class. YEAH!!!! AND MY MICROPHONE FOR THE CLASS COMES IN THE MAIL TOO! It works beautifully and I again thrill myself with the thought of teaching this amazing class to 60 people!

Recap:

I did get an e-mail from Sarah. Not what I had pre-paved though. They are locked in on that yoga class for the party. It is not my first thought but still works out because she is super excited about scheduling another time in October for IntenSati. We will pack that class instead! And, alas, my mic didn't come in the mail today but definitely tomorrow!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Pre-pave- Day 3

My #1 desire for the day:

I have a busy day today with many appts. but I am able to carve out beautiful little pockets of time to myself to read, do my manifesting homework, and get to a yoga class. In the busyness I still find time sit down and enjoy all my meals without rushing or doing double duty. I love being able to have time to myself in the midst of this organized chaos.

Recap:

I was busy today. I didn't get a chance to make yoga class or read though I had two beautiful meals that I enjoyed without doing other busy work. I definitely found more time to myself than I typically would have if I hadn't pre-paved the thought for the day. Looking forward to a beautiful tomorrow!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Pre-pave-Day 2

This is my #1 desire for the day!

Today I live in gratitude. Everything I see reminds me of God's beauty and everything I hear connects me to a spirit of love and peace.

Recap:

Really how can you NOT live in gratitude on such a beautiful day? The sun was shining and I couldn't stop smiling. Today I was indeed so grateful to be living this life, right now!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

The new "30"- Day 1

Well my sis Carrie requested a "good" one and I am offering it up (though it isn't knitting) and it isn't one that I have posted either. But I am inspired and when one is inspired you mustn't question it.

I have had the pure pleasure of joining a manifesting group. And I have had the double pleasure of being paired up with Jamie. Let me tell you, she is fantastic. Our first assignment was to do a daily pre-pave and send it to each other. Then we send a recap and based off the day do a rewrite of our day. I am expanding it to include all of you. Let me first give you the cliff notes on what a pre-pave is...every morning I write out what I believe my best day would look like. This is really it in a nutshell. It is an intentional thought that is put down in words and then set in motion by the desire to see its fruition, followed by the faith that is achievable.

Jamie is getting a full on detailed pre-pave but for the sake of your busy lives I am going to post only my #1 daily desire. I will also recap it so you can celebrate with me when it becomes manifest.

This actually means that my next 30 day experiment is a two-part er. I will be posting every day. So I will actually be counteracting my 3 months of invisibility by 30 days of blogging.

I think this is very good, I hope you approve Carrie!

Also lets not mention the part about how I said I was going to do 30 days of meditation and then you didn't hear from me for 3 months. I was at an ashram (if ashram can be riding your bike and enjoying the sun)!

I am going to show you what a full pre-pave looks like so that you can take it on if you so desire, this was the one I sent Jamie today, including the recap ( in bold), and rewrite (paragraph following)....


I wake up refreshed and excited for my day off. Yes

Saturday's are my favorite day since I have it all to myself to do exactly what I want to do. I spend a bit of time with my honey and then I head off to do a little sparring. I have a great sparring session. My timing is on, I have plenty of energy, my kicks come up easily and I pretty much kick every one's ass. After sparring I feel light and free. Yes

I pop over to the farmer's market to pick up some fresh produce for Sarah's dinner. On the way to the market I suddenly get inspired and know exactly what I am going to make for her family. I pick up my produce and head home to grab Matt and we go to Bess's cafe for breakfast. We take a leisurely breakfast, chat and enjoy our food. After breakfast we go over to Morgan's to meet the little kitties she is giving away. They are adorable!
Yes though it didn't quite go in that order. After sparring I came and got Matt, then we went to breakfast, saw the cutest kitties ever and we shopped together (better than my recap anyway since Matt was with me). Also, we went to Trader Joes instead of farmer's market. It was getting later in the afternoon so we went close by instead. It was good, but farmers market is my favorite because you get to buy local and see the farmers that produced your yummies. Next week I will make it there. I did get inspired though, here's the menu:
Fresh herb salad (I used my own garden goodies for this one) with goat cheese, heirloom cherries, and balsamic vinaigrette
Gnocchi Ala Romano with portabella, chives, and sun-dried tomatoes
crusty bread with fresh garlic-thyme butter
Jamie's scrumptious "cheese cake"

Matt and I head home and since he finished the bathroom this morning we get to hang on the couch and watch a movie, I read a bit, then we go into the bedroom, have amazing sex and fall asleep.
No movie, no reading, it was too late in the day but we napped alright, right up until I had to get started on dinner. So no amazing sex either, YET. I am typing this as Matt is watching the Iowa game (he loves the Hawkeyes) and if they win, I'll get it tonight for sure!

My stylist/friend comes over to color my hair. We hang and chat, and I work on dinner for Sarah. Matt and I go over to drop off dinner for Sarah and Cathy and meet their brand new daughter Ziaya, who is beautiful! We stay for a bit but then come home to have our own dinner and spend the evening together.
Stacey had to cancel, she got crazy today, we rescheded for Friday. Matt cleaned the house (this is why I LOVE my husband) and we went over to Sarah and Cathy's and held their beautiful daughter for a bit before heading home. Our own dinner was the Gnocchi as well and it was delish. Not as excited about the part where Matt wanted to eat it in front of the Iowa game but I acquiesced. Luckily he is only into college football, and then only Hawkeyes football. This takes up about 6 hours a season for him since they aren't always televised. I am grateful he is not a fanatic and in front of the TV watching it all the time so it was easy enough to have dinner on the couch tonight. Plus it gave me this nice time to read your juicy e-mails and respond!

I finish reading '
The Power of Awareness' before bed and feel excited about all of the fresh stuff the book has brought out. I love re-reading books and this one is so Phenomenal. I am excited. And I read a few more chapts. today but I am not quite done yet.

I LOVE, LOVE my day off. It was perfect!
I DO, I DO and YES it was!

Rewrite:

I love having days to myself and everything was beautiful today. I got time with my wonderful husband. I enjoyed going down to the gym to spar, and their new location (first time I was there) is WAY closer to my house which is great. One of my favorite things to do is express my love through creating wholesome, fresh, tasty food and I got to do that for my gorgeous friend and her partner Cathy. I was blessed to meet their daughter Ziaya (the name means LIGHT) and relish in new life, unmarred, and open to infinite possibilities. The day is made up of details and in this case the details were lovely and I am thrilled to be living this life right now, the life I had today. If today was my last I would say, "I am ready" I got to do what I enjoyed and got to be with the person I most enjoy and I got to live in the I AM. Who could ask for more really? And even though I know I could (ask for more) I don't want to because for today, I am fulfilled and happy.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

It's been more than a minute, so give me a minute

OK! I admit it, I am deliriously in love with summer and officially, today, it is over. Never mind that we are having a beautiful September. Summer is over. And so I feel it is time to bring my suntanned, flip flopped, tootsies indoors and spend some time on the computer. But WHOA! while I have been dreamily adoring the bright and light days (It's already so dark) my friends and family have been blogging away. And so I must catch up with all of you and read your beautiful prose and watch your adorable videos. Really? My sis-in-law completed a blog makeover unbeknownst to me and I don't want to miss any of it! Even my absently blogging sis, Kelley has put in some good hours and offered up videos and I have nothing. No experiments, no check ins, unless we wish to say I underwent an experiment of no-blogging for 30 days in which case I went above and beyond and was extremely successful. But that is not what really happened, instead I was riding my bike, yelling at people in bootcamp, and overhauling my garden. It was much fun, but enough is enough (really enough isn't enough but I ran out of light in my days!)

So give me a minute, I want to catch up and I will be back with a new 30 day endeavor and I promise it will be good, fresh, and something I have never attempted before!

LOVE to know that while I was enjoying my summer, all of my favorite bloggers were loving theirs as well. Too bad I didn't have the foresight to at least keep you posted on the good times, I love reading about yours!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

30 days in the bag

Really, 30 days of no TV and my husband and I watched no less than 16 hours of TV last weekend. Unbelievable! We watched hours of the most ridiculous reality show ever made about a Las Vegas hot spot, Jon & Kate+8, and VH1 Top 100 songs of the 80's (my husband made me)!

Honestly did I learn anything at all? Yes I did! I am going for a bike ride today and accomplishing many things on my to-do list, there will be NO TV!

On a side note I did begin 30 days of silent meditation on Wednesday. First time out and I was jerked awake by the buzzing of my timer informing me that my 20 minutes was up. Evidently I went into such a deep state of silence I fell asleep. I might need a little work on this one! Starting it again on Monday, more later.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Side Note- day 29

My husband would like all 5 of my readers to know that this is the music he finds inspiring:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anLfoy2XsFw

Courtesy of Matt enjoy this 80's throwback!

The inspiration of Music- Day 29

I was driving home from the bootcamp workout this morning and a song came on the radio. I pulled into the driveway as it was starting and stopped. I sat and listened, moved by the music, awed by the trees blowing in the wind, the blue sky, and the beauty of life. Waves of emotion washed over me. I was curious, why does music inspire? I know words can inspire emotion but in this case I wasn't even listening to the words.

I checked this out. Music operates just as words. Except music is a higher vibration than words. There is much research available about energetic vibration. Love is the highest vibration of all and and as such it offers us the most inspiration. Ever wonder why there are so many songs about love?
We all offer a vibration, the more inspired, compassionate, loving we are, the higher our vibration, and thus our ability to affect change in our lives and those around us. Want to inspire yourself today? Turn on your favorite song, close your eyes, breathe deeply and feel your vibration rise.
Need a song? Here's the one that stopped me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhVfeOAgmAw

Life is music, enjoy the notes you create today for they will become part of the larger symphony that is your epic journey.

Exert from the website http://www.healingmusic.org/
Our listening process starts with hearing. Beginning at the sixteenth week after conception. The cochlea [is a coil in our ear that] converts the vibrational energy of sound to electrical impulses that travel to the brain, and from there, travel to the brain stem. This energy at the brain stem activates the limbic system. It is here that emotional and physical reactions are produced. Sound energy moves on to the auditory cortex of the brain where we become conscious of the sound and can recognize what we are hearing.

As your brain comprehends the sounds or in this case the music, the electrical energy released by the neurons creates various frequencies of brain waves. The brain waves that are created (beta, alpha, theta, and delta) determine what “state of mind” you are in. Beta waves are most prevalent during focused and active thinking, alpha waves during relaxation and quiet creativity, theta waves during meditation and pre-sleep, and delta waves during our various stages of sleep (both dreaming and dreamless.)

Once through your brain, music in the form of electrical impulses make their way down your spinal cord causing an impact on the autonomic nervous system. This, in turn, can impact heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and muscle tension.



Sunday, May 17, 2009

Awesome Quote- Day 26

Anything in life worth having is worth working for.
-Dale Carneige

I just finished reading the book 'Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude' The quote is from this book and I must say there are many more golden nuggets to be found within this book.

One of the best pieces that has motivated me is that success is discovered through desirable action. If you want something, whatever it may be, TAKE ACTION!

Do something, anything to move you towards your goal. With this wind beneath me I have decided my next 30 day experiment will be 20 minutes of silent meditation daily. I definitely desire some peace, time to reflect on my life, where I am, where I am going and what my definite, specific, desirable goal for my life is. I know that time spent in quiet prayer and meditation will bring me clarity and so it will be.

My action step is to take this quiet time to myself for the next 30 days and see what it brings me. It will benefit me to no end that I am coming off a TV freeze because I can use my quiet time to keep me from falling back into the sweet lull of commercialized vacancy.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Blog, Blog, Blog...-Day 24

Thanks to my sister-in-law, no TV means a fun-filled hour on a new blog, perhaps my new form of TV, but hopefully more informative.

http://smittenkitchen.com/

It's totally fun writing and makes me hungry. Sarah, do I thank you or curse you for bringing this kitchen to my attention?

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

I will persist- Day 22

I am engaged in a 10 month study of 'The greatest Secret in the World' by Og Mandino. It is based off of his best selling book 'The Greatest Salesman in the World' and involves a scroll that is read three times a day. There are 10 scrolls that you read for a month each. This month I am on the third scroll. The basis of this scroll is " I will persist, until I succeed"
I have seen no better example of this than from our very own Cleo the cat. Each morning he awakes and feels hungry. He knows that his beautiful morning soft food comes from his dad, Matt. And so the persistence begins. Cleo will softly lay himself on Matt's tummy and begin to pad at him with his paws. When Matt doesn't wake up he starts to meow a bit and then moves his face closer to Matt. When Matt continues his slumber, Cleo starts to mew and move his paws over Matt's face scratching and irritating until finally his dad wakes up.

This morning behavior has been so persistent that in the last month Cleo has succeeded in waking his dad earlier each morning. The prodding used to begin at 6am, then 5:30, then 5am (around the time I am leaving the house), however this am Matt got out of bed to feed Cleo at 3:30am, a total record early time. He didn't even realize it was that time until he got back into bed.

What an example of persistence. "If I want to be fed, I must be fed!" I imagine this is what Cleo thinks without regard to the difficulty it will take in waking his master.

If only we were all this way, no matter the obstacle, no matter how difficult, we would continue on until we reached success. Cleo's success is eating Fancy Feast but perhaps yours is a successful career, or a lasting relationship, or a full Bootcamp(mine). No matter what it is, if you persist, you will succeed.

Cleo failed many times to wake Matt at such an early hour but after so much persistence he succeeded. No matter how many times he failed, he tried again. And that is the key.

You may fail a thousand times but around the next corner is success. You will never know unless you try again!

I will persist and I will succeed, as long as it takes, I will succeed.

ps. I am spot on in no TV but I heard through the grapevine that Helen, the older contestant and definitely the underdog, persisted, she won $250,000. I am sorry to have missed it but so glad I was out on a date with my husband instead, at Ikea!

Living my life without TV, persisting, succeeding, and loving my life!

Monday, May 4, 2009

A slip of the finger- Day 13 (sortof)

Ok, I had a slip of the finger....allow me to use on of Monk's favorite lines. "Here's what happened"...it was Thursday night and I had been lulled into a deep trance after watching our most recent net flix arrival, Kung Fu Panda (which by the way is entirely adorable), and there it was, the remote, in my hand, the movie over, and The Office just starting. I could help myself but really I didn't. I watched it. YES, I WATCHED THE OFFICE AND I AM NOT STARTING OVER AGAIN!!!

So today is day 13 because even the best of us have our slip ups and I only took a sip of TV I didn't drink a whole day of it in...

What's the first step again? Admit your powerless? It reminds me of those HULU commercials with Alce Baldwin, he says that TV is just an alien plot to take over the world after turning human brains to mush. I can hear mine sloshing around right now but not all is lost.

It is a beautiful night and my hubby and I are walking up to the icecream shop for another one of my favorite addictions. Cones! At least I'll get a little exercise on the way.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Grumpetta- Day 8

Things to do in Richfield when your dead (oops, I mean when you can't watch TV)...

1. Take funny pics of my hubby sleeping with the cats















2. Watch funny videos of Maru the cat

http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/animals/Cat_In_A_Box_2/#241608


3. Try to create my own funny videos of Cleo the cat




4. Yell at my husband for eating all the avocados


5. netti-pot my nose AGAIN!


6. Blog

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The truth- Day 7

THE TRUTH IS I MISS MY TV!

I have such deep judgments towards myself in regards to this extracurricular activity. It is hard when you realize that one of the best ways you "spend" time with your loved ones (mostly Matt) is in front of the TV. My hubby told me on Sunday that he "misses his TV buddy". And while part of me is so sad that this is the way we relate with each other, another part of me misses the chance to "veg" out with him and snuggle my feet near his on the couch.

We watch TV together really well. Maybe better than we do anything else together. Tonight he said, "well we can't watch TV so we might as well go to sleep". Most of what he said is right, it was too late for a walk outside and we both have work tomorrow. But a part of me wonders where we could be if we didn't even have the option of TV.

How will I feel in 20 days? Will I drop everything to go back to my TV. Am I only in a withdrawl stage that will end? If it does end will I have the guts to cancel my cable? Right now the idea of no cable scares me, even though I can't watch it.

Also, my lack of TV watching has lent itself to more internet action. I am also reading but I wonder is trading the TV in for my computer any better? Is the internet more or less informational than TV?

Such questions will hopefully reap answers by the end of my experiment!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Miracles- Day 2

Starting over is hard. Not only did I have 8 days under my belt but I tend to see myself as a failure anytime I screw up. It is interesting though, this time I started over and thought, "more time without TV makes a better me".

The best way to learn and grow is through adversity. The tougher the time, generally the more you learn from it. This is the best and most positive way to view any situation we typically deem as a failure. Failure is only such because of our perspective. If we choose to see it as an eye opening experience that teaches us a better way of living it really becomes a success.

The challenge is holding a positive mental attitude in the midst of the whirlwind. Can you during the storm, breathe in and catch the lesson before it passes?

Today was a good opportunity for me to practice.

I leave stuff everywhere. I leave things at my house, at the gym, in my locker at yoga, at my parent's house when I visit, at Matt's parent's lake home when we visit. EVERYWHERE!

In the first few months after Matt and I were married I left my wedding ring at yoga on three different occasions. In a panic I would call back to the studio hours later, after finally realizing my finger was missing something. They always had it there. Gotta love karma at the yoga gyms!

So I devised a beautiful plan to never leave my ring again. One thing I always have is my keys, and my keys have a carabiner chain ( a clip used for mountain climbing). I started putting my ring on the carabiner and like clock work three hours later I would become aware that my finger was naked and know exactly where my ring was so I could put it on.

I have been using this method successfully for 5 months. Until last night. I went to the boxing gym in New Brighton and followed my usual ritual, getting ready, putting my ring in it's spot and then I worked out. I finished, went home, made dinner, got in bed, and woke up in the middle of the night realizing my ring was not there. I had a momentary panic and then remembered, "oh, of course, it is on my key ring".

First thing when I woke up I went to put it on, and there was no ring. NO RING on my carabiner. The last place I left it, and it wasn't there, which meant it could be ANYWHERE!

I had to go to work, and I was in tears. It was 5am and I had 4 hours of app ts. ahead of me knowing that my ring was AWOL. Here comes the power of the mind...the first place my head went was to criticism. "You can't keep track of anything". "You shouldn't be allowed to hold anything valuable, all you do is lose it".

I was a veritable Simon Cowell. (In a British accent), "You are undoubtedly the worst person ever!" The next three hours were a battle of my mind and soul. My mind telling me I was a worthless vagabond that deserved divorce (I mean really? I thought that? YES!) my soul telling me it was an honest mistake and my heart would find the ring. In one thought I would calm myself seeing the ring on my finger and in another I would be crying because it was lost due to my irreverence.

I fought myself and continued to push the positive with every chance I could get it in, letting the negative rattle through like I knew it would without latching on to it.

The gym where I had last seen it wouldn't open until 1pm but I had a break in my day at 11am and decided to drive down there and look in the parking lot. As soon as I arrived at the strip mall I became overwhelmed. Cars were parked everywhere and I imagined some vehicle's wheels sitting on top of my precious ring.

DEEP BREATH!!! I decided to retrace my steps from the gym door out to where my car had been parked no matter how hopeless it seemed. I started at the door and turned left and there, in the MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALK....my ring was shining.

At 11am in the day, from 7pm the night before there it sat. No one had stumbled upon it, picked it up, taken it. My ring was right where it had dropped waiting for my sweet soul to find it, as if to say, "you are a darling, no mistake you make is worth beating on yourself, it is OK, it will always be OK."

No matter how many mistakes I make, even losing my ring never to be found again, even watching TV during my fast, even eating something I think I shouldn't, even not getting to yoga class, no mistake I make actually makes ME a mistake.

I am not a mistake, I am a perfect miracle that has plenty of opportunities to learn and grow and receive the love that is around me. I can only receive it if I am willing to see that it is there.

Today when I found my ring waiting for me on the sidewalk, I saw it, I received it, and I am so grateful for these miracles to remind me how much of a miracle I am!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Loving myself where I am at- Day 1

That's right, day 1 again. I succumbed to the powers that be (primarily that I couldn't take another nap and my head was so congested the idea of reading hurt it) and watched 3 hours of TV yesterday. Never mind that I was sick and feeling sorry for myself, I do know better and it's an excuse.

So I am humbly beginning again! The good news is that I got to see the Biggest Loser. Sad though, the finale is in two weeks and I will definitely have to miss that, or start over again.

So here's to starting over, and loving yourself where your at, TV addiction and all!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Sick- Day 9

Not feeling well today....what I've done so far instead of watching TV....Slept, slept more, made crockpot dinner, slept again...

Today would be a great day to curl up on the couch with my precious TV.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Some minor concerns- Day 8

My concerns are not that I won't get any quality time with my husband who is currently in the living room watching previously TIVOed programming and gloating about it while I sit in the office e-mailing.

My concerns are more or less that on Day 4 I spent my entire lunch hour (with a turkey sandwich, I made from ingredients from ALDI) on DSW.com moving boots (I really need a new pair) in and out of my shopping cart. In with pair 1 and in with pair 2, out with pair 2 and in with pair 3, out with pair 1&3 and in with pair 4.....so anyway you get the picture. This "lunch hour" was really more like 90 minutes and I finally and fabulously declined spending any money on boots because they didn't have my fav pair in my size. Thank you lessons learned during spending freeze! Even if it does feel a bit like walking through the grocery store, filling up your cart, emptying it, filling it up, emptying again, and then leaving the store.(WOW that sounds like fun, think I'll try it out tomorrow at ALDI)

However, tonight I recklessly shopped online again and bought 2 Tracy Anderson DVD workout videos in the "name of research" but mostly because they promised me a slimmer tush and I want to know what she is teaching people that I don't already know!! That's research right?

Anyway, all tax deductions aside I don't want the wonderful effects of the spending freeze to dissapate so I am putting a further hold on ALL online shopping until TV watching is a green light and I can start buying off infomercials again.

Seriously, I am finding it interesting and slightly difficult to entertain myself. Here is what I am going to do tomorrow instead of watching TV!

Go to yoga
Take a run or bike
Make a crockpot dinner
work on my website

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I feel like the biggest loser- Day 2

I can barely stand it, I am sitting in the living room eating my dinner (salmon, zucchini, and brown rice, all from Aldi) and watching the TIVO screen as it clicks off time. 1:48, 1:49, 1:50....I know what this means. The biggest loser's 2 hour fanfare is almost through and my screen is black. TIVO is diligently recording my season pass. This week is, THE MAKEOVER EPISODE, and I will never see it. The makeover episode has always been my favorite episode in seasons past, and due to my own bright idea I am sitting here in the dark with my dinner.

It's funny how habitual turning on the TV is for me. I find myself walking into the living room after I've made my lunch, I reach for the remote as soon as I turn on my computer, and I miss the background noise while I cook. I feel so bored because I can't watch it, what am I supposed to do?

I did say this would be hard for me but oh my, this 30 day experiment will be a life turner for sure, I am either going to die of boredom or get a real life!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

A reformed grocery snob- Day 30

Wow, it could be that I need to do a 30 days of blogging experiment. I have been horribly absent this month and here I am at the end of my spending fast. This experiment was extremely eye opening and very friendly to my checking account. Unbelievably so I found shopping at Aldi exhilarating. I easily shopped for weekly groceries with $40 and got everything I needed. Lunds and Aldi stand side by side only one block from the house and I had never shopped there. I am so hooked. My spending fast saved me $600 from the previous month and that is absolutely worth it. I did miss my hot chocolates and lunches out but I can scale back to once a week and look forward to those treats instead of indulging whenever I want.

We'll get on with it. There is no time to waste I have many more things to try and I'm on a roll so I am taking on my greatest challenge: no TV for 30 days. Because I want to be succesful, I have made a small addendum to this one. Matt and I suscribe to netflix and I decided that I will still watch the netflix movies but no TV shows, no TV movies, no TV shows on my computer.

It doesn't feel like the perfect time but it never does when your an addict. The office hasn't rapped, 30 Rock has more laughs to offer, The biggest losers still have pounds to lose, I Love money hasn't given out the $250,000 grand prize yet, and what about Oprah and Ellen they have all kinds of relevant topics happening....really need I say more? I watch too much TV!

As a matter of fact I am watching TV right now... multi tasking. 30 days starts tomorrow, maybe I will find more time to blog this month!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Trendsetting- Day 6

I guess considering the economic state of our country my spending freeze is hardly a trend setting event. Though since I began my 30 days it seems cheapskate pointers everywhere. On Thursday Oprah featured a show on how to shop/cook meals spending less money, metro magazine had an article featured on saving money, and my sweet hubby sent me a yahoo article about extreme cheapskates. All of this and not a moment too late as I have discovered that I little experience with being thrifty.

Example
My first day at Lunds I spent $25, over half of my weekly budget. On my list? a rotisserie chicken, a dozen eggs, string cheese, and some mini haggendaz bars that were 2-for-1. $25? Really?

And then I did something I've never done before, I inspected the receipt. They missed my ice cream discount! I did another thing I've never done, I waited 15 minutes until the manager came up to the counter to refund me $4.55. Hey, I only have $40/wk on groceries, I need every cent.

Lunds clearly doesn't fall into my cheapskate budget so yesterday I went to Aldi. I am a bit of a grocery snob so I wasn't too excited but was pleasantly surprised to find fresh o.j., skim milk, and a large bottle of creamer all for $5.05

I am off to the market tonight and have $14.50 to spend for the rest of the week.
Organizing starts tomorrow!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Flexi-Lexi- Day 30

This is it, time to hang up my yoga hat. Not really though, my goal now after a 30 day free for all is to get in 5 days of yoga a week. It is good for my body, good for my soul. I am feeling stretchy and light, or maybe that is just the month of March...hmmm....

Spring is on it's way, whether the snow today leads you to believe that or not, it is coming. So I am excited to announce my next experiment(s). Actually I had decided on them two weeks ago but didn't want to spoil the spring surprise.

In honor of spring (cleaning) and April (taxes) I have decided to go the extra mile and take on two experiments at once. I am going on a 30 day spending freeze (Ala tax season) and a 30 day organization/cleaning/De-cluttering heat wave (Ala spring cleaning). I like the idea of blending a freeze with a wave in hopes that I won't be chilled.

In my head I imagine that all the time I will bemoan not being able to spend money I will instead be spending in time, clearing things out and cleaning up.

My husband is enormously excited about the next month for two reasons; he is inherently frugal, and he would like some help around the house keeping it clean (he generally does all our house work, and yes, I know I am a lucky girl!)

I do have a 30 day organizing/cleaning plan but I will save you the gritty details for the days following. Here are my spending freeze guidelines; only monthly bills can be paid, $30/week on gas, and $40/week on groceries (about 2/3 of what I currently spend) I am relinquishing most of what I consider my fun money. No massages, private training, acupuncture, lunches out, and my weekly life coaching calls. The exceptions to this are my cycling class (it is already paid for) and my monthly yoga membership (I want to keep up on my yoga).

I plan on keeping an ongoing list of things I would like to have bought, lunches I would have taken, and hot cocoas I would have purchased from the coffee shop next to my studio so I can have a tally at the end of the month of what I have saved myself.

I'll keep you posted. Another exciting month of changing my life story begins. I've always been a spender. Can I be a saver????